Mount Nittany Health Recommends following CDC Vaccination Guidelines
A case of measles in a child was confirmed in Montgomery County Pennsylvania earlier this month. Mount Nittany Health follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for vaccinating children against the virus. The CDC recommends children receive two doses starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at four through six years of age.
“We have received questions from concerned families about the risks of being unvaccinated, as well as if they can obtain the vaccine early for their children,” explained Morgan Decker, MD, Mount Nittany Health Pediatrician. “We follow CDC guidelines and, pending any travel to international countries and/or areas known to be involved in the current outbreaks, we do not offer the MMR or MMRV vaccine early. If you plan to travel, I recommend reaching out to our clinic for further guidance on if additional doses of either vaccine are necessary.”
The measles is a contagious, viral infection that is spread through the air by respiratory droplets. Symptoms may not appear until ten to 14 days after exposure and include red, blotchy skin rash, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat and fever.
If your child is the recommended age for the first or second dose of the vaccine and hasn’t received it yet, or if you have travel plans, call Mount Nittany Health to schedule an appointment at 814.231.7000.
